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Constant sinus pain

(25 Posts)
GagaJo Wed 18-Nov-20 16:33:34

I have suffered with my sinuses for almost 40 years. I get infections, headaches, pressure, allergies, hayfever. In the summer, this is exacerbated by heat stress.

Even when I'm not ill, I have almost constant pressure. No point going to the docs, they never do anything, other than antibiotics and there really is no point taking them. It just comes back again.

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to treat it, other than pain killers or decongestants? I don't want to constantly take pills.

If I drink water/tea CONSTANTLY, it will just about stay away, but I mean constantly. A drink on the go at all times. Which isn't practical OR possible most of the time. Not to mention the constant loo visits.

AGAA4 Wed 18-Nov-20 16:52:50

I have suffered with sinus pain on and off for many years. I find steaming helps, sometimes I use essential oils eg eucalyptus and mint. Also pressure points on the face will relieve it.

MrsThreadgoode Wed 18-Nov-20 17:04:53

There is an operation you can have to clear them out, I’m not sure of the success rate though and it’s not a very pleasant procedure.

Grannysmith Wed 18-Nov-20 17:14:00

I had my sinuses ‘cleared out’ & deviated septum straightened under gen anaeasthic a year ago following constant sinus problems. It has helped but not completely. However my consultant did say that nasal douching with warm saline solution daily would help, & it does. You can buy a special bottle to make it easier to squirt up each nostril! Good luck

MrsThreadgoode Wed 18-Nov-20 17:30:07

DH uses Sterimar each day morning and night to help him, sprays up each nostril, also Flixonase spray.

kittylester Wed 18-Nov-20 17:46:35

Sterimar and Flixonase here too.

You have my sympathy gagajo

Toadinthehole Wed 18-Nov-20 17:49:57

I know what it means to have constant pressure in the nose, with itchiness and irritation added for good measure. I have a perforated septum which can’t be fixed due to the underlying cause. Have you tried inhalations before going to bed? You could use them during the day too if you’re not going out. Doesn’t have to be medicated.....just pure steam is just as good, and would kill any viruses hanging around. Not THE virus though I don’t think!?. Another one I use is Neill med sinus rinse. It’s really for sinus problems, but helps me too. Hope you get relief somewhere ?

Auntieflo Wed 18-Nov-20 19:01:43

Another mention for Sterimar from me.

GagaJo Wed 18-Nov-20 19:22:31

Forgot to say, even if I go to bed without a sinus headache, feeling fine, I usually wake up with one. At times, leaving the window open with lots of fresh air helps, but not always.

Hetty58 Wed 18-Nov-20 19:31:32

Have you tried adjusting your diet to reduce or eliminate the 'trigger' histamine encouraging foods? Some people find that gluten or sugar is the cause.

Squiffy Wed 18-Nov-20 20:04:18

Sterimar for me, too! I also use Sinuforce and Nasofed, which are a handy size for putting in your pocket or handbag.

blue25 Wed 18-Nov-20 21:14:28

Neilmed nasal spray daily has helped me. I agree that avoiding dehydration and drinking lots of water helps. Steaming as well.

I’ve overhauled my diet-massively reducing sugar & carbs. No alcohol & lots of fruit & veg. It has helped. I was told that inflammation of the body can lead to inflamed/sore sinuses so anything to reduce inflammation helps.

Callistemon Wed 18-Nov-20 21:23:48

Have you had tests for allergies Gagajo? Food allergies as well as allergies to plants could cause that.

The other thing is checking with a dentist that you do not have a longstanding abcess; sometimes one could sit there for years, apparently, not causing anything acute but a chronic annoyance.

My MIL had to have her sinuses 'trimmed' as she had chronic problems and I think the operation is much simpler and better nowadays,.

Toadinthehole Thu 19-Nov-20 09:56:16

Are you sure it’s sinus related? Typically...sinus headaches start as you get up and move around. You don’t wake with them. The headaches may be a separate thing. Have you ever seen an ENT consultant? Sounds so debilitating ?

annodomini Thu 19-Nov-20 10:20:43

55 years ago, I had what I thought was acute sinus pain. An ENT consultant diagnosed a tooth abscess and recommended a visit to a dentist. Tooth removed, pain gone! Nowadays, I think a dentist would do a root canal job but not sure that the generation of dentists in 1965 knew about those.

MrsThreadgoode Thu 19-Nov-20 10:42:12

DH saw a consultant, hence the use of Sterimar and Flixonase, ( plus various allergy pills )said that most of his symptoms were caused by various allergies, but he put a camera up each nostril and saw some polyps,

Ahha! He said, that’s part of the problem, if the Sterimar and Flixonase don’t shrink them he can get them removed, but he is much improved, the polyp removal might stop the Sinus like symptoms but won’t stop the allergies.

wildswan16 Thu 19-Nov-20 10:47:45

It might be worth trying to go "wheat" free for a few weeks. I became gluten intolerant several years ago, and found my sinus problems became much less when I had cut gluten from my diet.

pinkwallpaper Thu 19-Nov-20 10:56:04

I have similar problems and find alcohol really exacerbates the problem for days afterwards. I have polyps and have had them removed once, not pleasant! When the poly recurred about five years ago I was given some very strong steroid drops which helped shrink the polyps. These did work for a while and I think I may need another course. I try and limit my intake of dairy as it is known to cause mucous. I also take flixonase daily. Any cold goes to my sinuses and I usually suffer for two/three weeks when everyone else is better in the week.

vampirequeen Thu 19-Nov-20 12:39:42

You have my sympathy. I take fexofenadine for the allergies, Avamys nasal spray and, when desperate, a decongestant. You have to be careful with the decongestants as you can get a rebound affect if you take them too often. You need to go back to your GP. There may be something he/she can do now that wasn't available the last time you went.

Roses Thu 19-Nov-20 14:31:22

You have my sympathy as I have suffered for years,had two operations and it still comes back.

Have you ever tried Hopi ear candles they are really good for sinus and ear problems or before you go on a flight.

It would be best to go to a holistic therapist to have this done as they can explain how the therapy works.you can also buy them on line but would need someone to do the treatment for you

I also use Nielmed saline wash and antihistamine

EllanVannin Thu 19-Nov-20 14:41:46

Albucid spray ? This is what I was given in the 70's but not sure if it's still manufactured as I haven't heard about it since. It seemed to have done the trick with the sinusitis I used to suffer from during that time.

GagaJo Thu 19-Nov-20 21:17:42

I've been on wheat free, low carb diets before, no change. No alcohol for 4 months now. Sugar is something worth considering, although both my father and my grandmother had the same thing. Both of them had surgery to correct it with no change. Granny had sinus washouts in hospital, but it always came back.

I think I just have to try to manage it. I'll try the saline spray again. Tried it a few years ago to no avail but... I've also been searching for homeopathic advice.

GagaJo Thu 19-Nov-20 21:19:03

I've had a Hopi ear candle before, but like the sound of that again. Relaxing if nothing else!

V3ra Thu 19-Nov-20 23:49:44

GagaJo Google "acupressure points sinusitis," lots of information and links about massage.
I had a bad attack over Easter and the pressure points and massage definitely helped.

GagaJo Wed 22-Sep-21 09:50:00

Just resurrecting my own zombie thread to ask about hayfever.

I've noticed I'm very congested at the moment. The headaches are ramping up again. Is this a harvet time problem? Anyone else affected?